The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-17
Grand Lodge of Odd-FeRows.


Grand Lodge of Odd-FeRows.
The Grand Lodge of Odd-fellows met yester-
day, with an attendance of representatives and
members that shows the order to be in excel,r Mt
condition as far general interest in the
brotherhoods affairs is concerned. All the grand
officers were present with reports of their work
during the past year that exhibited unusual
period of prosperity. The grand master. A. n.
Grant, in giving tho details of what he had
DONE said that dspensations had been granted
for new lodges at Chandler Warrick county;
Linton, Green county and Center, Howard
county. For lodges of the Daughters of Re-
bekah charters were granted to Morrstown,
Shelby county; Ridgeville. Randolph county;
Hymera. Sullivan county, and Eminsnce, Nor
gan county. Wanatah, Point Isabel and Wea
lodges surrendered their charters. The Belle
Vile lodge was removed to Clayton, Hendricks
county.
In reference to the troubles in Colfax Lodge,
Daughters of Rebekah, he reported that the
peace and era of good feeling thought to have
been established oy R. L. Hieginbotham was Of
short duration. "The troubles broke out again
in an aggravated FORM, the grand master
stated, land were violent that Brother Hig
ginbotham. whom 1 sent again to restore har-
monv, reported that il could not be done. and
that the trouble. if not ended would WORK last
lES disgrace ana lnJuEy, not ODiV 10 INC oe-
bekah branch of the order. but also to the sub
ordinate lodges. As dernier resort the char
ter was arrested on Sept 10, 1887, and, with the
effects. sent to the grand secretary. Immedi-
ately following the arrest of the charter came a
petition for it's restoration. which refused,
and which has cow been referred TO the com
mittee on petitions and applications"
The report credits Hope Lodge. at New Al
bany. with the largest membership-275, and
Harmony Lodge, at Ft. Wayne, as being the
wealthiesr in the State, with assets valued at
z ~ fn,rr Id oah
of which is worth $40, 900, eight lodges have
$40, 600 each, and three $3O, 600 each. In the
State there are eighty five dsfunct lodges
The grand secretary, B. T. Foster, reported
the net gain in mem bership for the year l, $780,
the number of limitations being 1,674 In sum-
ming up the relief report he says: Fifteen
families have been relieved. The sum of $32,-
9l2 40 has been paid for the relief of brothers;
50. 237 OF for the relief of widowed families;
1892. 81 for the education of orphans; Sc, AGA "a
for burning the dead. and ga, 1856 SO for other
charitable purposes. making the total amount
of relief $48 800. 81.
In regard to the affairs Of Joseph Cranor, a
member of Cninkaroo Lodge, at Williamsburg,
Wayne county, but who is now an inmate of the
Insane Hospital. the grand master said that a
legally appointed guardian has been for years
drawing the benefits from his lodge, which
would be all right if the guardian used the bene-
fits properly, and for the benefc iary and his
family. But complaints have come up from
many sources" he continued, inside and
outside of the order, and from the wife of the
insane brother, charging that said benefits are
being misused, that ordered said lodge to dis
continue the payment of benefits until investi-
cation and further orders. / find that the law
cornpels lodge 20 pay benefits to the duly-ap-
pointed guardian, or to the general relief COM
mttee having such insane person in charge. In
vie of the many complaints, which seem to be
well founded, l think one of two things should
be done: Either a general relief committee ap-
poin ted to take charge Of the benefits and use
them for the afflicted brother and his family,
the incoming grand master should appoint
committee to investigate the charges, and re-
port to the next session of the Grand LODGE
The number of lodges in this State is 553, with
an active membership of q, 400. The resources
of the lodges are 81 1888 06, receipts $751;
Lodge receipts were 81. 678 40. and the orders
paid amounted to 81, 954 So. In the report of
the grand treasurer. T. p. Hauehey. which
agrees with the grand secretary's financial
statement, balance in cash of $i1, O57 "a is
given, and as the other item of assets covering
]. 312 shares of Grand Lodge Hall stock amounts
$32. 500 the total assets of the Grand Lodge is
$43, S5L39. The Grand~Lodge Hall fund shows
receipts during the year of So. 664 90 in addition
to the cash balance of 7.54o. 40. slight de-
crease in the balance appears this year. it being
So, 779 ID. To the Colfax monument fund thir-
y-two States and provinces contributed, the
largest contribution, S., GA Is, coming from In
diana. and the smallest from Arkansas.
The afternoon session taken up in consd-
eriug the reports from numerous committees,
mostly to routine matters A COM
munication was received from the G.. A. r.
statue. The communication was referred to a
special committee, consisting of T. 2. Haugney,
c. P. Tuley and S. p Oyler. The old question
OF reducing the Grand Lodge representation
was introduced. 1t is now proposed to restrict
il to 100 members, the present number of
tatives-6o0--was, it is said,
wiedly body. The matter referred to the
committee on legislation. In the session to-day
the business of the Grand Lodge will be com
pleted.
The grand sire of the Sovereign Grand Lodge
last year, decided that unless insurance
ISOLATION of the order has the sanction of the
Grand Lodge of the State in which it acts it is
illegal for it to do business under the name of
the order. In the session of tie Grand Lodge,
yesterday, this matter came up in effort to
get its sanction for the Odd-fellows' Protective
Association. It reported unfavorably
by the legislative committee, and the debate
that followed at times showed some heat. The
report approved, which leaves the Odd
fellows Mutual Aid Association the only one OF
the kind in the State doing business with the
sanction Of the Grand Lodge. This association
held its annual meeting last night, and
re- elected the old directors except
ing James B. Kenner, of Huntington, who
takes tho place of Samuel B. HALEY, of
Wallace P. G., Indianapolis; Thomas Under
wood, p G. NJ, Lafayette; John w. McQuiddy.
P g. NJ, Indianapolis Theodore P. Haughey,
g.. Treas, Indianapolis; Piatt Wise, P. G.
NJ, Fort Wayne; William Fl. DeWolf p. G. NJ,
Vincennes: James b. Kendall, p G. NJ. Ken
dallville; John F. Wildman, 6. NJ, Muncie Ed
ward S. Porter, g. P. Greensburg; John T. Wal
lick, P G. P, indianapolis; Charles FL. Hauf1er,
p. G.. Knightstown.